Ex-Socceroos assistant Arnold named as PFA's Coach of the Year

Central Coast Mariners Head Coach, Graham Arnold, has today been named the 2011/12 Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) Hyundai A-League Coach of the Season.

Presented with his award by PFA Executive member and Central Coast Mariners captain, Alex Wilkinson, at a media event at Soccer5s, Tuggerah, the astute Arnold was overwhelmingly selected as the A-League Coach of the Season by PFA members across all ten Hyundai A-League teams.

Arnold is the fourth coach to be honoured as coach of the season by the PFA. He follows Ange Postecoglou (Brisbane Roar - 2010/11), Viteslav Lavicka (Sydney FC - 2009/10), and Aurelio Vidmar (Adelaide United - 2008/09) as recipients of the award.

Central Coast Mariners, who were confirmed as Hyundai A-League Premiers following their away win at Wellington on Sunday, have maintained a high level of performance under Arnold's guidance both domestically and also internationally this season.

Brendan Schwab, Chief Executive of the PFA, said from Melbourne: "The continued success of the Central Coast Mariners despite their heartbreaking loss in last year's Championship decider shows how Graham and his playing squad have been able to overcome many of the obstacles put in their way.

"It is even more to the credit of Graham that the side has continued its success despite coming from the A-League smallest market, and the need to transfer key players out of the club. Despite these issues, Graham has successfully developed a number of young players, many of whom should become the mainstay of future Socceroo teams.

"I wish Graham and his club the best in both the forthcoming A-League finals and the Asian Champions League."